Cops nab suspect who allegedly scammed victims out of P40 million

Authorities arrested a suspect who presented himself as a soldier and scammed victims out of some P40 million.

According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday, the suspect was identified as Crisanto Galicia Rodriguez.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Cavite nabbed the suspect in an entrapment operation during which he accepted P75,000 marked money.

“Nagpakita siya ng ID ng AFP with the rank of Captain, only to find out nung na verify natin he is not a regular member of the AFP,” said Police Captain Noel Seno of the CIDG Cavite.

(He showed an AFP ID with the rank of Captain, but we verified he was not a regular member of the AFP.)

The suspect also had warrants of arrest in Caloocan and Bulacan over estafa cases.

“His modus operandi, nagpapanggap siyang may konekta sa malaking developer construction firm. Itong complainant natin hinihingan siya ng P500,000 para makapasok doon sa company na sinasabi,” Seno said.

(His modus operandi, he pretends to be connected to a large developer construction firm. The complainant said the suspect asked him for P500,000 to join the company.)

“More or less P40 million yung nakuha nila doon, nakuha noong tao na yon na hanggang ngayon hindi pa binabalik. Wala pang return of investment,” Seno said.

(The suspect obtained at least P40 million from the victims which until now he did not return.)

GMA News was seeking the side of the suspect, who is facing estafa and usurpation of authority cases. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA News